Hilltoppers take third at Fandetti-Richardson

January 13, 2019 - Uncategorized - no comments

Hilltoppers take third at Fandetti-Richardson Brawl

JEFF BIRCHFIELD • JAN 12, 2019 AT 8:27 PM

Science Hill held its own with some of the top wrestling squads in the Southeast on Saturday at the 19th annual Fandetti-Richardson Brawl at the new Science Hill Gymnasium.

Led by 170-pound champion Chase Diehl, the Hilltoppers finished third in the overall standings with 204 points. They only finished behind meet champion Point Pleasant, West Virginia, with 261 points and McCallie with 218.5 points. Science Hill was one spot ahead of Bradley Central, which beat the ‘Toppers in a dual match on Friday, and two spots ahead of powerhouse Fort Mill, South Carolina.

With four finalists overall including Braxton Mann at 125, Jared Harter at 160 and Jack Tevis at heavyweight, it was quite a good account from the young team.

“The kids are wrestling hard and they know we have to maximize every moment we have on the mat,” Science Hill coach Jimmy Miller said. “The season is coming to a close soon and the way we practice and the way we train is what we keep preaching to them every day. When it’s your tournament, you have to maximize those moments. The kids are wrestling hard for each other and are being accountable to each other.”

Diehl, a defending state champion, romped through the meet and won a 15-0 technical fall in the championship round. He was named the meet’s most outstanding wrestler.

“He’s a special kid, a well-rounded student-athlete who’s great in the classroom and great in the wrestling room,” Miller said. “He does everything the right way. He knows his shortcomings and he knows his strengths. I can’t think of a better kid to coach. He’s a pleasure every day and he’s leading this team.”

Overall, the Hilltoppers had 12 grapplers in the 14 weight classes reach the medal rounds.

Joseph Frye was third at 145, while Tyler Seeley at 132, Javelle Gillespie at 113 and Alex Hise at 195 all reached the semifinal round. Tripp Miller made it through the consolations to finish sixth at 120, while Blake Blevins at 152 and Kain Rogers at 220 had seventh-place finishes.

Other local teams included Daniel Boone in 12th, Elizabethton in 16th and Sullivan East in 19th.

Science Hill returns to action with a dual meet with Dobyns-Bennett on Tuesday night.

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